Graphics power savings system and method

Abstract

The present invention facilitates utilization of flexible and efficient power savings in graphics systems. A graphics power management method loads a first set of graphics commands from a CPU into a GPU at the beginning of a frame cycle. The CPU is put into a power saving mode after the loading is complete. The GPU processes the commands and forwards the results to a graphics buffer. The display begins the presentation of the data at the beginning of the following refresh cycle. The CPU leaves the power savings mode at end of the frame cycle to begin loading a second set of commands. The CPU recognizes the end of the frame cycle by counting a predetermined number of frame flip interrupt requests. After the CPU counts the predetermined number of frame flip interrupt requests the CPU begins to communicate additional graphics commands and then returns to the power savings mode.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of power savings in electronic devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for saving power when engaging in graphics activities.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Electronic systems and circuits have made a significant contribution towards the advancement of modern society and are utilized in a number of applications to achieve advantageous results. Numerous electronic technologies such as digital computers, calculators, audio devices, video equipment, and telephone systems facilitate increased productivity and cost reduction in analyzing and communicating data, ideas and trends in most areas of business, science, education and entertainment. Typically, electronic systems designed to produce these results consume power. However, energy resources for these devices are often limited and expended quickly (e.g., battery power sources in portable devices such as a laptop computer). ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention facilitates utilization of flexible and efficient power savings in graphics systems during graphic frame cycles. In one embodiment, each graphics frame cycle spans an integral number of display refresh cycles and is broken into essentially two “phases”, a rendering phase and a refresh phase. In one exemplary implementation, a central processing unit (CPU) forwards graphics commands to a graphics processing unit (GPU). After issuing the graphics generation commands, the CPU is not performing significantly useful graphics activity and the CPU is put to into a power savings mode (e.g. to “sleep”) until a GPU is ready for more graphics commands.

Problems solved by technology

Typically, electronic systems designed to produce these results consume power.

However, energy resources for these devices are often limited and expended quickly (e.g., battery power sources in portable devices such as a laptop computer).

Some activities such as displaying graphics usually require intensive data processing and traditionally consume large amounts of power, significantly draining the resources and / or reducing the life of a typical limited power source.

However, typical graphics presentations usually require significant processing of large amounts of data which traditionally consumes significant power.

The preparation of the pixel illumination information is usually a very complicated process and often best performed by dedicated graphics subsystem resources.

Providing information for each pixel is very data intensive and consumes a significant amount of processing resources calculating the appropriate intensity of each color for each pixel.

Even though a graphics processor relieves a central processor from performing numerous complicated graphics operations, traditionally a significant amount of interaction between the graphics processor and the central processor is required.

Even though the graphics processor usually performs most of the graphics processing, traditional interactions between the central processor and the graphics processor usually consume significant power.

When the GPU is not ready for additional commands the CPU continually “polls” the GPU and the polling consumes significant power without really contributing to the underlying processing tasks.

After issuing the graphics generation commands, the CPU is not performing significantly useful graphics activity and the CPU is put to into a power savings mode (e.g. to “sleep”) until a GPU is ready for more graphics commands.

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